After exploring the work of Linnaeus and the development of binomial nomenclature, students will apply classic morphology techniques to classify a range of animal skulls.
We will further investigate the importance of classification, using case studies from Chester Zoo’s animal collection and conservation projects to explore 21st century classification techniques.
Age group: Post 16
Duration: 50 minutes
Capacity: 25 students
Cost: £50
CURRICULUM LINKS
Science: Biology
AQA
3.4.5:
- Two organisms belong to the same species if they are able to produce fertile offspring.
- A phylogenetic classification system attempts to arrange species into groups based on their evolutionary origins and relationships. It uses a hierarchy in which smaller groups are placed within larger groups, with no overlap between groups. Each group is called a taxon (plural taxa).
- One hierarchy comprises the taxa: domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species.
- Each species is universally identified by a binomial consisting of the name of its genus and species, e.g. Homo sapiens.
- Students should be able to appreciate that advances in immunology and genome sequencing help to clarify evolutionary relationships between organisms.
3.4.7:
- Appreciate that gene technology has caused a change in the methods of investigating genetic diversity; inferring DNA differences from measurable or observable characteristics has been replaced by direct investigation of DNA sequences.
Edexcel
Know that the classification system consists of a hierarchy of domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species.
ii Understand the limitations of the definition of a species as a group of organisms with similar characteristics that interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
iii Understand why it is often difficult to assign organisms to any one species or to identify new species.
iv Understand how gel electrophoresis can be used to distinguish between species and determine evolutionary relationships.
v Know that DNA sequencing and bioinformatics can be used to distinguish between species and determine evolutionary relationships.
OCR
4.2.1 Biodiversity
Learners should be able to demonstrate and apply their knowledge and understanding of:
(h) in situ and ex situ methods of maintaining biodiversity.
4.2.2 Classification and evolution
Learners should be able to demonstrate and apply their knowledge and understanding of:
(a) the biological classification of species.
(b) the binomial system of naming species and the advantage of such a system.
(c) (i) the features used to classify organisms into the five kingdoms: Prokaryotae, Protoctista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia.
(d) the relationship between classification and phylogeny.
Please note: Chester Zoo discovery workshops can be adapted to your learners needs and abilities, please speak to one of the team to find out more.